Michael Russo, 28, is running to fill his father’s, vacant seat in the 3rd Ward. Russo is a born and raised Hoboken resident, and a product of the public school system.
He has earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the Richard Stockton College and a Master’s of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark.
As a licensed physical therapist, he now owns and operates a private practice in Hoboken while pursuing a clinical doctorate degree.
He has coached P.A.L. football, acted as an assistant Scout Master and taught summer supplemental education programs for Hoboken High School students. He has also been a member of the Hoboken Zoning Board of Adjustments.
In an interview last week, Russo said that his platform is to provid parking solutions, create affordable housing, and curtail what he call “overspending” by the Roberts’ administration.
Russo, like his father, is has been a vocal critic of Mayor David Roberts administration, especially when it comes to fiscal policy and spending. He has been particularly critical of the mayor supported plan to restructure the city’s debt. The mayor’s plan, which has been approved by the council, refinances the debt at a higher interest rate for a longer term. Russo said the short term savings do not justify the $15 million in extra costs.
“First and foremost [if elected] I will fight to resend that bond issue which is nothing but a determent to the city,” said Russo. “Adding this much debt to fund current operations is mortgaging the city’s future.”
He also criticized Addeo and Roberts for using “scare tactics to get the refinancing passed. “It’s another smoke and mirror trick by the Roberts administration,” said Russo. He added Roberts purposely tied city jobs to the refinancing in an attempt to pressure the council into voting. “He tries to play the hero but in reality it’s his [Roberts] out of control spending and insufficient management that is really putting these jobs in jeopardy,” he said.
Russo added that he does not have any intentions of laying off “rank and file” employees but would seek after eliminating high priced political contracts, cutting two director positions, and freeze the salaries of the mayor, directors and City Council.
On the issue of parking, Russo proposes to build a neighborhood 400 car parking facility at the old “Mercury Building” site, at 722 Grand Street. He is also critical of the Roberts’ administration using millions of dollars from the Parking Utility or city operating expenses. Russo believe that Parking Utility money should be used exclusively for creating parking.
On the issue of affordable housing, Russo is favor of using the Hoboken High School lot for a large scale affording housing development after the school moves to its new campus in which is now in the planning stages. Currently the school district plans on using that site for and elementary school and open space.
Another issue that is hovering over this election is the fact that Michael Russo is Anthony Russo’s son. Anthony Russo won convincingly in the 3rd Ward in May and does have many friends and a solid base of supporters. But on the other side of the coin he was also recently indicted for accepting bribes and extortion. A big question in the race is whether the Russo name will be a negative or a positive when it comes to the voters?
Michael Russo said he “is his own person” but realizes that the voters in May put his father into office.
“I definitely have my own ideas,” said the younger Russo, “but with that said my father made promises to his constituents in the 3rd Ward and I plan to uphold those promises. I have an obligation to those residents who instilled their faith in my father.”
While Russo is running as an independent, he is supported by council members Carol Marsh, Tony Soares and Theresa Castellano. The trio is Roberts’ harshest critics.